April 2013 Chemo Group

Rosina, aren't you glad your DH didn't decide to call you "Buzzard" (a bird that is actually bald) instead of Eagle! 

MinusTwo, I'm so sorry about the recurrance. That STINKS like a pit toilet on a hot summer day! Do you know yet if this means you will lose your implants? I will send thoughts your way of the chemo dissolving those tumors to nothing. 

I was feeling low the other night and kept having this song fragment go through my head for my own personal pitty party. I decided it's my theme song for the month. It's from the Beach Boys' song Sloop John B:

So hoist up the John B’s sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the captain ashore
Let me go home, let me go home
I wanna go home, let me go home
Why don't you let me go home--
hoist up the John B’s sail--
I feel so broke up, I wanna go home,
Let me go home

The poor cook he caught the fits
And threw away all my grits
And then he took and he ate up all of my corn
Let me go home
Why don't they let me go home,
This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on

So hoist up the John B’s sail, ladies, and let's head home!

Hello all!  I'm trying really hard to hoist up my sail!  Two questions:

1. Anyone doing FEC?

2. Nurse suggested Claritin D and not regular Claritin.......??  Now I'm confused as everyone here says NO to the D.

Wishing you all a peaceful evening.  Me, I'll be preparing for an early day Friday for my port and node biopsy.

Well, it's been 8 hours since my last post. I felt fine for a awhile but then started feeling nauseous and didn't want to eat, very unusual for me!  I also have what feels to be a sinus headache. I have not vomited, just kinda felt like it,  so I'm not sure if I should take a compozine tonight. My MO wants me to take on in the morning for the next 3 days whether I think i need it or not. I'm getting my Nuelasta shot tomorrow. I can't sleep and I feel just awful. Sorry for the complaining...Irene G.

Irene - I hope you feel better soon. I too vomit my first day of chemo. I even take my premeds but just happens for me. Hang in there. My mom name is also Irene. She was in our boat last year and is doing great now. She hugs me and says "tomorrow will be better than today". I hope this true for you.

Irene...get some Ginger Candy...I got a bag at the health food store and keep it my 'chemo  kit' i carry with me.....really helped me when I had those nausea feelings...

I thought I had thrush too...lost my voice...Dr called in a script for pills I'm taking for two weeks and a special mouth wash...seems to have help....

Good morning dear ones. 

It has been a while since I got on the board, although I have been reading and sending you all my love and prayers. I had Chemo #2 on Monday and have been sleeping on and off for most of the week. I am thrilled that I was not inflicted with the yucky SEs from #1. I feel like the probiotics and other GI prep stuff and greatly helped. This time, my white blood cell count was still high, but they still gave me the Neulasta. I took Clartin again (not D). and advils and a vicodin and did not have the issues I had the first time. My bones are sore, but nothing like the last time. I did not get super sad this time either... all around a better head space. I pray this will continue for the next cycles. Because if it is just fatigue, I can deal. The yucky GI and headaches make me sad and crazy. I am starting to bruise a bit more- I don't have a port. Any good suggestions for protein (when you don't want to eat?)

Luckily, my folks were here to help my children get to and from school so I could sleep. It took off a lot of pressure from my DH too. My hair is completely gone- I ended up shaving right before chemo #2 because the buzz stuff was itchy and starting to go. I keep thinking I need to wash my hair...not. Now that it has been 10 days since no hair, I am sporting the topless look at home and my kids don't even blink. My little guy (5) would like me to wear my funny hair to school though. It is hard going out and having people stare a bit longer. I figured if I hold it together, I am educating people. My hubby told me I'm doing this whole cancer/chemo thing with such grace- I feel like an imposter and just putting on a face. 

Last night, I woke up- full moon- and thought- How did I get here? This is not my life! (Talking Heads Song). I can't wait to get my life back.  Today, I am going to the American Cancer Society Feel Good Look Better workshop. I pray I keep my eyelashes and eyebrows. 

I know this post was all about me, but I want you to know, I read and think of each of you. Today, I am going to think of all of you ladies and I'm sending healing thoughts and gentle hugs to each of you. Onward- we can do this! 

Hi, ladies! I'm at home from work because my white blood cell count was so low on Wednesday that I can not risk being around those germy kids at school. I didn't have the Neulasta shot this time but it's now on the plan for next time. I, too, think that the fluids are all important. You have to do something to start flushing that junk out. This is day 10 for me after the first chemo...about the time I think imay feel decent, I don't. I never lost my sense of taste, but won't say that things taste the same either.



I have an infection in the vein where the IV was given. I'm taking an antibiotic for that. I'm only supposed to do 3 more chemo sessions so hoping I won't have to do a port. Now I'm wondering if that was a good decision. Anybody else trying to do this without a port?



So was it day 14 or 15 when the hair started leaving? Getting close to that time. Sure hope I handle that well.



Keep your eyes on the goal, ladies. Hope this is a good day for you!

Rosina - I had the raw tongue too (and mouth, and throat)... that SE took longer to resolve than any of the others, but by the third week it's feeling normal. I want to get some slippery elm lozenges for round 2, this might be something to try -- I used them once before BC and think they'd be perfect for this type of discomfort.

Dede - Glad to hear that chemo #2 has brought more manageable SE's! I also feel like an imposter. This whole experience is so surreal to me. 

Carol - No port for me, I think my veins are holding up well so far for bloodwork etc., but my chemo vein is pretty bruised, hoping it will be OK by next week!

Some body hair started falling out day 13 & head hair day 15. Today is day 17 and I looked like I had mange with the super short buzz cut so I finally shaved it down to the scalp. It still looks weird, totally bald patches and dark patches where the follicles are still in tact and then a few stubbly patches that the razor just couldn't get. It looks gross but feels so much better... who knew hair loss could be so painful!! My one piece of advice to anyone who hasn't faced the hair loss yet is, go somewhere to get it shaved to the scalp before it starts falling out. I thought I was "safe" with just stubble but it was horrible shedding everywhere & I wish I had shaved it sooner or at least shelled out the money for a professional to do it because I'm horrible at shaving!

gonna TRY and hold off the Big BUZZ till Monday...my brother is gonna try and come and a friend from work is gonna video tape it...don't know if i'll SHARE it...but figured hey, got a professional photog, so why not....feeling normal so gonna work both Sat & Sun...easiest days to work....less folks around.....

Next round (# 2) a week from today, so wanna get all the hours I can.

Welcome new ladies and peaceful thoughts to everyone~

Welcome newbies!!!!

Sounds like many of us are having a tough time right now. Yesterday when I got home, my scalp felt like it was on fire. Now, it is red all over, very painful, and the little stubbles are falling out. Try putting a wig on top of that, painful! Anyone else dealing with this? I am also struggling with my teenage daughter. Ever since I got the diagnosis, she has become somewhat sullen and angry. She is in therapy now, but it seems to be getting worse, not better. How about that one, anyone else. I am shocked by the anger somehow, I expected the fear... I have about  1 1/2 years of projected treatment, she may drive me crazy before the cancer does!

Thought for the day: ~ I am calm, I am relaxed. I breathe deeply, and I am peace with myself. I can laugh, life is good. I am in control. ~ 

Have a good day all.                                                   Heather

Indenial- Doc called me in a prescription for something called magic mouthwash. She said it will help and I can even swallow it if my throat was bothering me. Ewww. I'll let you know how it goes.



Netter- I dread setting on the scale every doc visit. I'm going to buy a bike to ride on days like today when I feel good. Walking is great too.



Heather - ouch. My prickly stubble is driving me nuts too. Never thought I'd look forward to the day of a smooth head. My son turns 16 on May 5th - I know I won't be feeling 100% that day and it makes me sad. And he isn't exactly being subtle about his disappointment either. He has a right to his feelings but I'm just surprised by his reaction. Grrr.



LKSHER & Heather - Im finding the guilt is hard to deal with for me as far as being sick. It's a family disease - it's not just me who suffers. We told all of the kids no sports or activities until Mom is done with treatments. I hate that they are missing out right now. We have 5 kids (4,11,12,13,16) - so no T-ball, cheer, dance, softball, or track. The 3 tween girls are driving me nuts with their 'sisterly fighting'. Seriously!! I didn't grow up with a sister so I don't get all the fighting.



LKSHER- I get down too. Sometimes 3 hours will go by before I realized I haven't moved (and this is on a good day). When I get out of the house I feel better. I met a mom at the playground yesterday and we talked about kids not cancer. Super refreshing. On Monday I'm starting a 6 week program through a place called WELLNESS WITHIN. It's a combo of support group, meditation, yoga, journaling and walking. It's something I never thought I'd go to but I think it's going to teach me how to deal. I too often think about the " what ifs" and it's scary. Hang in there. You have us to talk to.

Irene, it will get better. You will have good days. I didn't think i would ever get through chemo, but i completed 6 rounds on 4-3 and will now start radiation. You will get through it!

Netter, the plastic utensils do help. I found that cold foods tasted better. I was never fond of jello but it tasted good during chemo!

Wishing for low SE days for everyone 

Netter, here is how I have avoided weight gain so far: Have a mouth so sore that eating anything harder than pudding or even slightly acidic feels like chewing glass. Have all your meals from a blender so that everything tastes like mush. Have chemo drugs in your system so that everything has that tangy, bitter aftertaste. Have even managed to lose a pound or two, in spite of being constantly ravenous (from the steroids?). 

Sorry if that sounds bitter (ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!).  

My incision started bleeding today. Off to drive an hour to see the on-call PS this afternoon. 

Gardengirl3: I only buzzed my down to like a number 2. I haven't totally shaved it. Some find it painful to have a little stubble, I have not. Hats and scarfs make me itch after a while so I take them off at home and I feel more comfortable with some hair. Everybody is different. I'm actually enjoying having no hair. So much faster getting ready. Gotta look on the bright side of a dark situation.